DRM Becoming the Major Digital Radio Platform in Asia

(picture: Redtech.pro)

China reaffirms need for digital audio in all domestic cars

After securing the huge Indian broadcasting market the digital terrestrial radio system DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) now is strongly positioning itself  in the Chinese domestic market. This will leave DAB  -the other European system - further far behind on the global market.  

According to RedTech.pro the Chinese National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly met specifically on the provision of audio and video in cars. NRTA and MIIT promoted the inclusion of digital receivers with DRM (and the domestic system CDR) in all domestically produced and imported vehicles to be sold on the domestic market. Last year in their joint letter the Chinese authorities also expressed the intention to accelerate the construction of digital radio broadcasting coverage networks with digital AM broadcasting (DRM) transmission systems at local medium wave transmission stations. 

DAB Radio Without Any Government Support in Sweden

Politicians reject demands for DAB expansion for public broadcaster.  FM will remain as the major platform for radio.

The Public Service Committee, with representatives from all eight parties in the parliament, has now submitted its final report to the Minister of Culture. On many issues there was disagreement between the government side and the opposition, however, not regarding the question of a DAB expansion for public broadcaster Sveriges Radio (SR). All parties remained cold-hearted to break a 30-year stalemate regarding the DAB system as an alternative to terrestrial FM radio. Now, this might be the beginning of an end for DAB in Sweden. The public service channels have more than a 65 percent share of the radio audience. 

First Terrestrial 5G Broadcast Opens to General Public in Boston

5G Broadcast experimental  FCC licences in the US

XGen Network ( XGN), a network operator for US 5G Broadcasting TV stations, has announced the launch of the first solution for the general public to receive an over-the-air 5G Broadcast signal on an SDR (software defined radio) with downloadable software. The SDR software will enable, to begin with ham radio operators, the ability to receive WWOO’s Boston over-the-air 5G Broadcast signal. 

5G Broadcast - Ready For Global Launch 2024

The Universal Radio and Television Mobility Platform 

 The LTE-based 5G Terrestrial Broadcast System or ”5G Broadcast” might soon disrupt and replace terrestrial digital broadcasting models as DVB-T2 and DAB writes the Public Service Council (Sweden) in a report.

In 2024 there are 7 billion smartphones in the world. Global 5G mobile subscriptions are projected to reach 1.6 billion by the end of 2023. The smartphone is a versatile communication tool. More than previously anticipated it is now becoming the most important platform for radio and television listening and viewing. Video and audio streaming (including radio and television channels) is now taking approximately 75% of the global Internet capacity.

Media content is increasingly being delivered on Internet via fixed line and mobile IP networks. Audiences on the move will consume OTT (Over-the-top) broadband media. OTT as a platform for radio and television already is outpacing DTT (DVB-T2) and DAB-radio via smartphones and Connected Cars via fixed and mobile broadband as well WiFi access. 

DAB+ in an Old DAB Radio, Forget It!

Millions of UK DAB radio listeners to be locked out 

DAB radio listeners are facing the possibility of being locked out of popular stations, including Classic FM, as major channels are abandoning older DAB radio system in favor of the new DAB+ technology. This move is forcing listeners to purchase more modern radios in order to continue accessing their favorite stations.

The shift to digital radio was initially prompted by the government’s plan to turn off the FM signal, but with this delay until at least 2030, many DAB radios are becoming obsolete as they can only pick up the DAB signal and not the modern DAB+. Classic FM, which boasts around 4.5 million listeners, is among the popular stations that have announced their switch to DAB+. However, this change will leave behind around one-third of DAB radio owners who do not have DAB+ capacity.

DAB Will Never Replace FM In Australia

For commercial radio digital radio will play a "complementary and supporting role"

DAB is a great digital radio platform. But it will never replace analog FM broadcasting in Australia. So said Ford Ennals, CEO of Australia’s Commercial Radio & Audio, during his “DAB Down Under” talk at the WorldDAB Summit 2023 in Munich, Germany. He is drawing the same conclusions as the government made already in 2015.

In Australia, we were a relative early adopter of DAB, said Ennals. 2009 I think we started. And it’s important, but it will never take the place of FM. I think there will be markets where DAB has an important role to play, but it’s a complementary and supporting role.